Man accused in Planned Parenthood arson attempt

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - A Joplin man is charged with trying to set fire to the roof a Planned Parenthood clinic in the city.

The U.S. Justice Department said 30-year-old Jedediah Stout was arrested Friday and charged with attempted arson. He was held pending a federal court appearance Monday in Springfield.

The one-story clinic - which does not perform abortions - sustained minor damage the night of Oct. 4 when someone threw a backpack containing a bottle of clear liquid on the roof and lit an attached rope that hung to the ground. An identical attempt the previous night had failed.

FBI agents traced the backpack to a Wal-Mart store, where video showed Stout buying a backpack and rope Oct. 1.

Stout did not have a lawyer Friday and does not have a listed phone number.

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